Fast Connection (Cyberlove #2) by Megan Erickson, Santino Hassell Page B

afterthought, “I think I
do
like him though.”
    Her face softened, and I panicked for a moment that she’d cry.
    “Luke…”
    I wondered if I’d ever looked at her like Anderson did. As teenagers, it’d been all hormones and lust. And then we’d married and it’d all fallen apart. But not until we’d made two great kids.
    I respected her like hell and I loved her, but even now, I wondered if I’d been
in love
or if I’d just been desperate for the affection I’d never gotten as a kid. With my dad unknown and my mom mostly gone, I’d spent my childhood underfoot at my grandfather’s house. He was not what anyone would call
warm.
When I bothered to analyze myself, I reasoned that was why I was so overprotective of my own family. I wanted to hold on tightly to what I’d never had.
    And then there was that whole thing with Jake. His actions had solidified my paranoia. Probably forever.
    Anderson returned and set a shopping bag on the floor. “They’re in there.”
    I nodded. “Thanks. You two have plans?”
    Anderson had a nice smile. All strong bones and white teeth. “Since we’re on the island, I was thinking we could go to this tapas place by the ferry called Beso.” He glanced at Nadia. “You always want to sample everything when we go places, so I think you’ll like it.”
    I liked that—him speaking
to
her rather than to me as if she weren’t standing right there. It showed respect. And he damn better show respect. I cleared my throat to draw their attention. “One of my employees went there recently and said it was good. Said to order the chorizo-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon.”
    Nadia’s eyes went wide. “That sounds fantastic.”
    “Good.” Anderson appeared genuinely pleased that she was so into his suggestion. “Should we go?”
    “Yes. I’m ready for it. But would you mind if I talked to Luke for a second?”
    “Of course.” He nodded at me. “Nice to meet you.”
    “You too.”
    Once Anderson was out of earshot, Nadia turned to me. “Are you seeing someone?”
    “Where did that question come from?”
    “Chelle said you’ve been on your phone a lot lately and
smiling
at it. Also, she caught you laughing.”
    “And that makes you think I’m seeing someone?”
    Nadia crossed her arms over her chest. Again with the Look.
    “I’ve seen the same guy a couple of times, and I plan to see him again. But it’s just sex.”
    “Then what’s the deal with smiling at your phone?”
    “I can’t smile at my phone?”
    She waited me out.
    “Fuck, this is annoying,” I said. “He messages me. And he’s funny, okay? He’s late twenties and says dumb shit, but he’s a good guy. Doesn’t seem to care that I grump at him. In fact, I think he likes it for some weird reason.”
    Nadia was smiling so hard she was probably pulling muscles in her cheeks. “You have the cutest look on your face right now.”
    “Stop it.”
    “I’m serious. I think this is what you needed, some young guy who makes you lighten up.” I scowled while she clapped her hands, bracelets jangling. “Do I get to meet him?”
    “You know the answer to that.”
    Her face fell.
    All right, I was about done. “Don’t you have dinner to get to?”
    She sighed. “You’re frustrating.”
    “I’ve been told. By my ex-wife, in fact.”
    She laughed and rose onto her toes, puckering her lips. I leaned down so she could brush a kiss on my cheek. “You take care of yourself, Luke.”
    “You too.”
    I closed the door and leaned against it. The kids would be home in an hour or so, and I had a couple more days until I saw Dominic. I’d be lying if I said the anticipation wasn’t killing me.

Chapter Seven
    Dominic
    My sister was suspended from school, which meant it was a day for my parents to force her into working the cash register of Hot Bagels as a punishment. Which also meant everyone screaming at each other all day.
    You’d think I’d be used to this after a couple of months, but instead of getting